The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today. For the first time in the tournament's history, 48 national teams will compete in the World Cup.
AzEdu.az conducted a survey among education experts on this occasion. They were asked, "Which country do you think will win the final?" and "Which team do you support?"
The purpose of conducting this survey is to somewhat reduce the stress created by the exam period among our website readers, and to share the interesting opinions of experts.
In response to our survey, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Young Scientists, Doctoral Students and Masters Society, Doctor of Philosophy Ilgar Orujov stated that his favorite team has been the Brazilian national team since childhood:
“This topic is more interesting for me because I also used to play good football as an amateur. At the same time, I have been following such international tournaments for many years. Of course, I have a favorite team, and that team is the Brazilian national team. I have been supporting this team for many years, even since childhood.
It is difficult to predict the winner of the final in this year's championship, because quite strong teams are participating. France with its experienced squad, Brazil with its individual attacking talent, England with its young and dynamic players are contenders for the championship. At the same time, Argentina will try to defend its title as the reigning champion, Spain stands out with its tactical discipline and young talents, and Portugal with its balanced squad. Surprise results are also not excluded.”
Just as professional footballers manage pressure on the field, young people should be able to remain calm during exams:
“I believe that this tournament is a good opportunity for young people to reduce stress and have a good time during the exam period and summer vacation. I evaluate the coincidence of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the exam period as a psychologically beneficial opportunity, and I say this based on my personal experience.
This tournament is important for the intellectual development of young people, as well as for stress management. Football is not just a sport, but also a process where tactical thinking and strategy are managed.
At the same time, I would recommend young people experiencing exam anxiety to take two main lessons from this tournament: stress management and resilience. Just as footballers manage pressure in big matches, young people should try to maintain the same composure during exams.
Football games are also an effective means for short-term mental rest and stress reduction. In addition, it shows that success is achieved not only with talent, but also with long-term preparation and discipline. In this regard, football is an important area for managing emotions, strategic thinking, and developing team spirit. In my opinion, fans will also watch football from this perspective and support their favorite teams.”
Elmin Nuri, Executive Director of AzEdu Education Platform, noted that his favorite in this World Cup is the brotherly Turkish national team:
"My favorite in this World Cup is, of course, the brotherly Turkish national team. The current squad of the Turkish national team, team spirit, and the pragmatic football they display further increase the expectation of support. Therefore, I would very much like them to advance to the semi-final stage. The chances of players like Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Barış Alper to show themselves better globally and become TOP stars of football are not small. It is enough that emotional collapse, tactical gaps, and the level of strategic preparation against teams do not gradually decrease in the team. Much depends on head coach Montella in this matter."
According to Elchin Efendi, although he wishes for Turkic-speaking countries to become champions, his main favorite is Spain:
“The World Cup is starting now. This has always been the championship I dreamed of. We used to sit and watch it since childhood. After watching the games, we would go to the school stadium and play football ourselves. We would be at the stadium from early morning until evening, and in the evening, we would sit and watch the championship games again. One of the moments that particularly pleased us was the Turkish national team winning third place in the 2002 World Cup. That period was very interesting.
I can say that the main reason for my passion for football was Ronaldo Nazário. I loved football thanks to him and played football for a long time. It's true that now I also have a knee problem, just like footballers. That's why I haven't been able to play football for a while. Even if I play, I play very little.
In this World Cup, generally, the teams I support among the world countries are primarily Turkey and also Argentina. Argentina has already been world champion several times, and I wanted Messi to be champion too. He achieved that. Therefore, the team I support first and foremost is, of course, Turkey. Then there is Uzbekistan, another Turkic-speaking state. I also support Uzbekistan.
After that, of course, if these are not available, Argentina comes. If Argentina is also not available, the next teams I support are England and Spain. That is, I support these teams more. Spain is almost at the forefront among my favorites. If we are talking about the specific probability of becoming champion, I wish for Turkey to be champion, and Uzbekistan as well. But if I name my specific favorite, it is Spain.”
Elchin Suleymanov is also one of those who support the Turkish national team:
“The team I support is the national team of the brotherly country Turkey, and I wish for them to play in the final.”
According to Vusat Azizov, he prefers to watch entertaining football and see surprising results rather than supporting a specific national team:
“I think the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be interesting and intense for football fans. The tournament will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico and will feature 48 teams for the first time in history.
Among the favorites, I see the reigning champions Argentina, France, Brazil, England, and Spain. More people say that Spain will win the final. Because the systematic play they have shown in recent years and the rapid development of young footballers make them the main candidate.
As for the team I support, the first World Cup I watched on TV was in 2002, and I was 8 years old at that time. I supported the Brazilian national team. Especially Phenomenon Ronaldo, with the game he displayed, became the favorite footballer of many children like me. I even had Ronaldo's famous haircut at one point.
In this championship, however, I prefer to watch entertaining football and see surprising results rather than supporting a specific national team. In this regard, a pleasant surprise can be expected from the brotherly country Turkey's team, and of course, I will support the brotherly country. Nevertheless, I watch the games of England with special interest, due to its being the cradle of football, its football tradition, and fan culture. I think England will be the champion, and Harry Kane will be the winner of the "Golden Boot" award.
I hope that the World Cup will help to somewhat reduce the tension created by the exam period and bring pleasant emotions to people. The fact that some of the games coincide with late night or early morning Baku time may have a certain impact on the television audience. But I think that for true football lovers, this will not create a serious problem.”
According to Elchin Murad, there are 4-5 main candidates for the championship:
“I think that 4-5 teams are more candidates. Argentina, Brazil, France, England, and Spain. Because these teams have more professional, experienced, and star players.”
Ramin Nureliyev stated that he currently sees Spain as a more realistic candidate for the championship:
“I am currently a supporter of the Turkish national team, that is, I watch and support them. I have high hopes for the Turkish national team. But as a champion, I currently see Spain as more realistic. That is, Spain seems to be a more realistic candidate for the championship. But if Turkey becomes champion, I will be very happy.”
Sabuh Abdullayev noted that although the current course of football shows that the French and Brazilian national teams are very strong, his main wish is for the Portuguese national team to become world champion:
“Of course, sports, especially football, is almost everyone's focus. As educators, we also constantly follow both the Champions League, our home teams, and the World Cup closely. Of course, in response to this question, we would like to state that we would prefer the Portuguese national team to be world champion. Because Cristiano Ronaldo has almost all titles, he just doesn't have the world championship title. This is our wish. However, the course of events shows that the French and Brazilian national teams have prepared very strongly. I would especially like to mention France. We clearly saw this in the last Champions League, the victory of the French club proves this.
We wish our children and students success in their summer semester exams. We wish them success. We recommend them to watch football as much as possible to get away from exam stress. We think that they will show good results by repeating what they learned during the semester in a short time.”
According to Elmin Yaqubbeyli, although the favorites of the tournament are known, teams like the Netherlands, Turkey, and Morocco can achieve unexpected results:
“The teams I see as favorites in the World Cup are Spain, Portugal, and France. Because these teams have very strong squads. In addition, there are always teams that show better results than expected in World Cups. For example, the Netherlands national team can be mentioned. Because historically we have seen that even in periods when they did not have the strongest squad, they were able to achieve surprising results from time to time. If I may say so, the Netherlands is one of the traditional surprise teams of the World Cups.”
“For example, Morocco surprised in the last World Cup. In this World Cup, I think Turkey and again Morocco can surprise. By surprise, I don't mean the championship. I mean results such as advancing to the semi-finals or the final stages of the tournament.
But in terms of overall squad - considering defense, midfield, wings, and attack line - I think the strongest teams are France, Portugal, and Spain. Now, there will be those who say Argentina again because of the Messi factor. But in my opinion, Argentina's current squad is not as strong as in previous periods.”
Although Mazahir Mammadli is not a football fan, he stated that he would like to see Turkey at least in the top five:
"I would like to specifically note that I am not a very serious football fan. But there are moments when our national team or our country-level clubs compete in the international arena, and I gladly support them. Regarding the World Cup, of course, I would like Turkey to be at the forefront of this competition or at least advance to the final. Just as they have already reached the final once. But to be honest, I don't have a special preference for other countries. Nevertheless, everyone's rights must be respected. I would be happy to see Turkey at least in the top five in this championship. As for other world countries, I think this time the champion could be one of the European countries; in terms of football, for example, England might have a chance."
Like most education experts, Goshgar Maharramov also supports the Turkish national team in the World Cup:
"The World Cup is interesting for all of us. As an Azerbaijani, I also support brotherly Turkey. I think Turkey will succeed. After Turkey, the team I support is Brazil. I hope that these two teams will take their rightful place."
Amrah Hasanli noted that as a fan, he has a soft spot for the Spanish national team and wishes for them to play in the final.
